MAM
Saumya Tandon elevated to marketing head for KFC at Devyani International
Mumbai: In a significant career advancement, Saumya Tandon has officially announced her appointment as marketing head for KFC at Devyani International.
In her LinkedIn announcement, she stated, “I’m excited to share that I am taking on the role of marketing head for KFC at Devyani International”.
Tandon brings over five years of experience with Devyani International, having previously served in several capacities within the Pizza Hut franchise. Most recently, she held the position of Deputy General Manager of Marketing, where she played a crucial role in the development and execution of strategic marketing initiatives, thereby contributing significantly to the brand’s growth across India. Her responsibilities encompassed driving annual marketing calendars, planning for new store openings, and cultivating partnerships with key aggregators.
Prior to her tenure at Devyani International, Ms. Tandon served as Senior Manager of Marketing at Viu India, where she specialized in social media and digital marketing strategies. Her diverse skill set and extensive experience position her well to lead KFC’s marketing strategies in a competitive and evolving market landscape.
In her new role, Tandon is expected to enhance brand visibility and drive customer engagement for KFC, leveraging her expertise to implement innovative marketing initiatives. Her career trajectory reflects not only her accomplishments but also broader movements within the marketing sector, where strategic thinking and creativity are increasingly vital.
With Saumya Tandon at the forefront of KFC’s marketing efforts, the brand is poised for a promising future, marked by innovative strategies and enhanced customer connections.
MAM
Bob Iger joins Thrive Capital as adviser after Disney exit
Former Disney CEO returns to VC firm, stays on as Disney adviser till 2026.
MUMBAI: From castles to capital, Bob Iger isn’t done building just changing the blueprint. Bob Iger has taken on an advisory role at Thrive Capital, marking a return to the New York-based venture firm he briefly joined in 2022. Founded in 2009 by Josh Kushner, Thrive Capital has been positioning itself at the intersection of technology and long-term value creation, an area where Iger’s experience in scaling global entertainment businesses is expected to add weight. Kushner, 40, welcomed Iger back, highlighting his ability to blend technology with human-centric storytelling, particularly in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Iger is no stranger to Thrive. He had earlier joined the firm as a venture partner in September 2022, after stepping down as CEO of The Walt Disney Company and concluding his tenure as executive chairman in 2021. That stint, however, was short-lived. In November 2022, Disney’s board brought him back to steady the ship, replacing Bob Chapek following a turbulent period for the company.
Now, with his latest exit from Disney’s top job last month, Iger appears to be revisiting the venture world, this time with a clearer runway. Still, the Disney chapter isn’t entirely closed. Under his agreement with the company, he will remain until the end of 2026 as a senior adviser to new CEO Josh D’Amaro and will continue to serve on the board for his current term.
The move comes as venture firms increasingly seek operators with deep industry experience to navigate what Kushner described as “the most consequential technology shift” of the era, driven by AI. For Iger, whose career has hinged on blending creativity with scale, the transition from Hollywood to high-growth investing seems less like a pivot and more like a plot twist.
